Obituary of Lucy "Cleo" Cain-Williams

Lucy Cleo Cain Williams Sunrise April 6, 1934 Sunset October 21, 2021 Lucy Cleo Williams of Providence, RI, passed away on October 21, 2021 Born on April 6, 1934. Lucy, who was affectionately known as Cleo, was born and raised in Providence, RI. The daughter of the late Lewis Cain and Irene Adams. She was preceded in death by her late husband Austin Williams II and two sons Austin Williams III and Lawrence Cain, 10 sisters Dorothy Maynard, Lillian Winston, Irene Baker, Edythe Webster, Barbara Almeida, Betty Green, Ruth (Vinnie) Dailey, Pearl Martin-Storms, Eunice Baxter, Bernice Wilson 3 brothers Lewis (Hot Sauce) Baker, Matthew Baker, and Henry Baker. She leaves to cherish her memory of her 2 daughters Rhonda Cain of Sacramento, Ca, and Kim McCollum of Providence, RI. She also leaves 23 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews. Cleo was the last of the Adams Girls dynasty. She was the youngest and one of the shortest (all about 4’ 8”) tall. She had the spunk and attitude of being over 6 feet tall, especially when she rolled her eyes and started pouting. Cleo raised her children as military brats leaving the sanctity of Providence and going to Norfolk VA, Charleston SC, Kentucky, and Quonset Point RI before returning to Providence. She earned her certificate in cosmetology from Arthur Angelo School of cosmetology, and anyone who knew her knows she never stepped out without every hair being in place. From the press and curl to the afro. She worked at Roger Williams Medical Center for many years, and she was also a teacher’s assistant at Broad Street Elementary School, where the children loved her. Cleo was a member of I.E.P.O.W Harriet Tillman Temple of Elks. She participated and enjoyed many activities as an Elks member. She truly enjoyed marching in the parades with her stature and swag. Family members would come out and yell her name, watching her strut. Cleo also loved to travel and enjoyed time with her daughter in Sacramento and with her niece Natalie in North Carolina, whom she considered her niece/baby sister. When she would go to NC to visit her niece Natalie with her sister Vinny and several nieces, and always stayed for several weeks at a time and always had a ball shopping and being pampered. She like special treatment. At home, her grandson Quasheme would visit regularly and do chores, run errands, and had to stay to watch soap operas with her to make her happy. Cleo will be missed by many. Sleep on Cleo. You have earned your rest. Although we all love you, God can and will love you best. A Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 30, from 1:00pm to 2:30pm at the Truth Tabernacle Church, 542 Potters Avenue, Providence. A service will follow at 2:30pm. For further information and condolences, please visit mountpleasantfh.com.